IN recognition of Refugee Week, Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) and Aireys Inlet Primary School undertook a joint project to build a\u00a0personal connection between the pupils and the refugee story.<\/p>\n
Using the recently published Man Man: Making meaning on Manus by AIRAR member Jill Parris as a guide, each grade at the school participated in a class run by AIRAR volunteer Colleen van de Horst.<\/p>\n
The class explored Man Man\u2019s life on Manus and his subsequent departure to live in the United States.<\/p>\n
Drawing on Man Man\u2019s photos of his life and the environment on Manus Island, the students learnt about refugees and Man Man\u2019s own story.<\/p>\n
For the project\u2019s second stage, pupils could take a photo reflecting their personal environment in Aireys Inlet. Grade 4-6 pupils undertook this independently as a homework project, grade 3 pupils went on an excursion, and the youngest pupils used the playground as their focus.<\/p>\n
An outstanding collection of photos were received with almost 90 students entering the competition, which was judged by noted Anglesea artist Deb Elliott.<\/p>\n
Prizes for the competition were presented at a school assembly last month by AIRAR conveno Mary Bremner.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can clearly see the spirit and feeling of Man Man\u2019s photography reflected in the students\u2019 photos,\u201d Ms Bremner said.<\/p>\n
The first prize winner was grade 4 pupil Frazey Horsburg-White, with Bell Day from grade 6 winning second prize, and grade 6\u2019s Shyra Gentle being awarded third prize. Each winner received an enlarged framed copy of their photo.<\/p>\n
Highly commended and merit awards were also presented.<\/p>\n
School principal Jennifer Abel said the project had been important for the pupils to get an appreciation of what it is like to be a refugee and to learn that despite hardship it was still possible to find beauty in your environment.<\/p>\n
She said the photography had also allowed the children to take time to stop, and really focus on the natural beauty of Aireys Inlet.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo often we take it all for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n
The photos will be compiled into a booklet, which will be sent to Man Man.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IN recognition of Refugee Week, Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) and Aireys Inlet Primary School undertook a joint project to build a\u00a0personal connection between the pupils and the refugee story. Using the recently published Man Man: Making meaning on Manus by AIRAR member Jill Parris as a guide, each grade at the school […]<\/p>\n